My Sister's Deadly Scam - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

The two of them huddled over their phones, scrolling through the flood of online messages, cackling like they'd already won the lottery. You'd think they could practically see the headlines now: Local Heroes Save Kramer Heir!
I kept my mouth shut, tuning out their gloating, and headed straight for my room to pack my bags.
Mom shot me a nasty look. "You really don't know how to live, do you?" she sneered. "Born to grind, destined to lose—that's your whole pathetic life in a nutshell."
Dad let out one of his over-the-top sighs, shaking his head like I'd personally disappointed him. "If you had half your sister's brains, maybe I wouldn't still be breaking my back hauling bricks!"
Julia strutted over, shoving her phone in my face like it was some kind of trophy. "Still clueless, huh? Mr. Kramer just messaged me. He wants to meet." Her voice oozed smugness. "He knows exactly what I did for his son. Sent me a mountain of fancy supplements too—stuff you couldn't afford if you worked yourself to the bone."
She leaned in, her grin dripping with fake sympathy. "Last chance to kiss up, sis. When I get that payout, maybe I'll throw you a pity twenty grand."
My stomach twisted. "Are you out of your mind?" I snapped. "His son's been hurt for days, and you're the one blabbing about it online. You think they'll just hand over cash? You're basically begging for a lawsuit!"
The words barely left my mouth when Mom gasped. She'd just seen the Kramer Group's new statement—blasting the rumors as lies, threatening legal action. The comment sections went dead. Every post about Julia? Poof. Gone.
Julia's face went sheet-white. Dad started pacing like a caged animal. Mom wrung her hands, muttering under her breath.
Then—ping.
Julia's phone lit up with a message from Albert Kramer:
"Someone's coming to get you. Be downstairs in five."
Just like that, her panic melted into a smirk. She waved the phone under my nose. "See? Rich people keep things quiet—but they still reached out to me first. Bet they're wiring the money right now." Her voice turned icy. "You're too much of a coward to ever get ahead. You're not even fit to lick my shoes. Get lost!"
She shoved past me, flouncing off to change, while Mom and Dad turned on me like rabid dogs.
"Worthless!" Dad barked. "No talent, no guts—just jealousy. Should've left you on the street!"
"If you're leaving, then go!" Mom screeched, eyes glittering with dollar signs. "This is our golden ticket! By tonight, we could be in a mansion!"
Dad was already scrolling luxury car listings, calling a dealership to "reserve" a Maybach. Mom dug out some ancient designer dress, caked on makeup, and started babbling about shopping sprees.
I finished packing in silence.
When I stepped outside, the whole neighborhood had gathered, buzzing with envy.
"Your girl's struck gold! The Kramers! You'll be rolling in it!"
"Save a seat for us at the country club!"
"I told my husband to take that Kramer construction job—those stairs in their mansion are solid gold, I heard!"
Mom and Dad ate it up, grinning like Cheshire cats, promising everyone jobs at Julia's "future company."
Then the black SUVs rolled up.
Five stone-faced bodyguards stepped out.
"Julia?" one barked. "Mr. Kramer wants you at the construction site. Now."